Mina to replace Mascherano at Camp Nou

BARCELONA: Spanish Giants Barcelona have completed their second signing of the January transfer window from the Brazilian side Palmeiras.

Current La Liga leaders have signed a 6ft 5in Colombian center-back Yarry Mina for a five-year deal on a potential fee of €11.8 million, as a long term replacement of the outgoing Javier Mascherano.

In a statement on their website the Catalans said, “Yerry Mina now comes to Barca with the opportunity to continue developing as a footballer following his move to Europe. Without a doubt the Colombian has the potential to make it.”

Mina has won a league title with Palmeiras in 2016 over the course of two seasons and has also won Copa Sudamericana with his former club Santa Fe. Barca’s first signing of the winter window was a huge one, heir to club legend Andre Iniesta a £142 million signing of Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho.

The Colombian international’s signing was essential for the Catalan club as Mascherano will move to the Chinese Super League for €10 million at the end of the season and Samuel Umtiti has been regularly linked with English Giants Manchester City.